Hospitals across the UK are facing immense pressure due to a surge in winter illnesses, prompting health officials to urge the public to avoid AandE departments unless it's a life-threatening emergency.
Brits experiencing illness have been advised to avoid crowded AandE departments, with warnings to only seek medical attention in life-threatening situations. A surge in winter illnesses has put hospitals under immense pressure, resulting in numerous patients succumbing to sickness during the festive season. Health officials had previously warned about a potential 'tidal wave of flu' and the threat of a 'quademic' posed by flu, Covid-19, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and norovirus.
East Surrey Hospital declared a critical incident on Wednesday due to the rapid increase in winter viruses, prompting NHS leaders to urge the public to avoid AandE unless absolutely necessary. Ed Cetti, Chief Medical Officer at Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, cautioned, 'Due to high levels of demand and a sharp increase in winter viruses, which is impacting staffing levels and how we move patients around our site, our services are under significant pressure.' 'Our staff are working around the clock to minimize disruption to those already on our wards, treat all patients coming into our Emergency Department, and continue to discharge patients who no longer require acute care to ensure we have available beds for those who need admission, but please only attend East Surrey Hospital in a life-threatening emergency.' The primary illnesses reported are norovirus and flu, both of which share symptoms like vomiting and muscle ache. Norovirus is known for causing severe sickness and diarrhoea, but typically resolves within about two days, according to reports. Conversely, flu affects the lungs and can last up to two weeks, with symptoms including fatigue, a dry cough, and a sore throat. Flu is particularly concerning for high-risk patients, prompting officials to continue urging vulnerable groups to get vaccinated
NHS Hospitals Winter Illnesses Aande Norovirus Flu
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